Freedom Marches On In Red, White And Blue

4th Of July Parades Crisscross City, Suburbs

Under their parents' watchful eyes, Chelsea and Emma Connor adopted the American entrepreneurial spirit Tuesday by setting up a lemonade stand on Central Street along Evanston's parade route.

The girls, 10 and 5, peddled cold lemonade for 50 cents a glass from a card table situated near thirsty parade watchers and marchers. To diversify their business, they also sold bottled water for $1 and Rice Krispies treats and juice for 50 cents each. Their father, Antony Connor, a native of South Africa who has witnessed struggles for independence, was proud that his children had the freedom to set up their stand.

"Freedom is so much a part of the social structure of the country that people don't even think about it. How wonderful," the Evanston resident said. "But they do have to remember where it came from. That's why celebrating the 4th is so important."

Connor and his children were among thousands of people who lined parade routes in Chicago and suburbs such as Evanston and Hinsdale to celebrate the day that marks American independence. To many like Connor, who has lived in the United States for 14 years, the warm, sunny day was a celebration of that freedom. But to others, the day was also time to spend with family and friends.

The day marked the country's 224th birthday, but it had a more personal meaning for June O'Donnell of Deerfield, who celebrated her 73rd birthday by watching the Evanston parade.

"It's fun, and nobody can forget," said O'Donnell, decked out in a red-and-white striped shirt with navy stars, and white pants.

Even her socks had a flag motif. "I had a choice of three pairs," she said.

Parade routes were filled with a sea of red, white and blue--on everything from clothing, balloons, pins, hats and even chalk flag drawings on an Evanston sidewalk. The aroma of freshly popped popcorn sweetened the air, and the punch of spicy jalapeno peppers atop nacho chips made eyes water.

Frequent short bursts from snappers thrown to the ground by children, mixed with rifle salutes by marching veterans and screaming fire and police sirens, caused small children to cover their ears and older ones to beg for more. Stirring patriotic tunes performed by high school marching bands and bagpipers inspired many to tap their feet along curbs dotted with blankets and lawn chairs.

In Hyde Park, children lined up early to decorate their bicycles, adding red streamers to wheel spokes, blue ribbons to handlebars and white balloons to banana seats. Flags adorned bike baskets, and stars and balloons were taped to the grips of handlebars.

"I want it to look pretty because I want it to be really, really beautiful," said Victoria Barr, 7, who was the first child to arrive at the bike decorating area near 54th Street and Old Lake Park Avenue.

The bikes, along with Museum of Science and Industry employees dressed as passengers of the Titanic, Model T Fords and a blimp, added character to the community parade sponsored by the Hyde Park Kiwanis Club and Nichols Park Advisory Council.

"Of all the things I've done in the community, this generates the most fun and the most goodwill," said Julie McCauley, parade chairwoman.

David and Susan Glick, who brought their three children to the parade, agreed.

"It's a chance to see everybody and get together to meet our neighbors," Susan Glick said. "Hyde Park is like a little town in a large city. It's like celebrating the holiday with all the people we live near."

Victoria Sheridan, who brought her 5-month-old daughter, Isabelle, and 2-year-old daughter, Madeleine, to the parade, also wanted to impart a sense of American history and pride to her children.

"It's such an incredible blessing to live in this country and at least once a year we should appreciate it," she said.

For Dennis and Janice Sejet of Darien, who watched the Hinsdale parade wearing T-shirts adorned with American flags, the 4th of July is their favorite holiday.

"It's Americana," Dennis Sejet said.

Plus, it offers a day away from the kitchen for Janice Sejet.

"I don't have to cook or work on entertaining, but I can still have my friends and family over and have fun," she said.

Hot dogs piled with mustard, ketchup and relish and gooey ice cream seemed to be the foods of choice for most paradegoers. At Mustard's Last Stand in Evanston, sales of hot dogs and nachos never slowed, with lines of hungry people filling the gravel area in front of it.

"It's hot, hot, hot back here--like the summer," said Dan Knispel, who labeled himself the "chief grunt" of the operation.

Ann Larson, a marshal for the Evanston parade, placed the 4th of July and Thanksgiving among her favorite holidays.

"Nobody's figured out a way to make us buy candy and flowers and gifts for those days. They're the quintessential American holidays," she said.